CONSERVATION PARKS & WETLANDS
BORDERTOWN WILDLIFE PARK
Big Desert Wilderness Park, which covers an area of about 1 million hectares, is just over the Victorian border and is accessible via 4WD. Little Desert National Park is also in Victoria. This park adjoins the Tatiara on the border, South East of Bordertown. Padthaway Conservation Park is close to the township. The park contains many Manna Gum which are home to the Tatiara koalas. Mount Monster, a granite outcrop with a picnic area, the Gwen Ellis Walking Trail, panoramic views and a rock pool, is situated 14km south of Keith, off the Riddoch Highway.
There are no less than twelve Conservation Parks in the Tatiara region. These offer visitors the opportunity to see the native flora and fauna of the region in its natural state. Some parks are only accessible to 4WD enthusiasts. Ngarkat group of Conservation Parks cover a total of 270,152 hectares. They include the original Ngarkat and adjoining parks of Mount Rescue, Mount Shaugh and Scorpion Springs. Please check with the Visitor Information Centre for 4WD access and conditions. These parks are home to numerous species of flora and fauna and become a picture of colour in the spring with wildflowers of all shapes and sizes. There are many kilometres of signposted tracks mainly suitable for 4WD vehicles. Camping permits are available in Ngarkat Park, from the Visitor Information Centre and online at www.parks.sa.gov.au Mount Rescue is reached by turning off the Dukes Highway, 15km West of Keith. Ngarkat and Mount Shaugh are 69km North of Bordertown on the Ngarkat Highway. Harding Springs is also North of Bordertown on the Ngarkat Highway. A map of the walking trail is available from the Bordertown Visitor Information Centre.
The Wetlands of and Moot-Yang-Gunya Swamps, with their abundant wildlife, are the inspiration for many artists and a delight for locals and visitors alike. Many picturesque smaller swamps are dotted throughout the region and roads through Pooginagoric, Padthaway, Willalooka, Wolseley and Pine Hill. All highlight the natural beauty of the Tatiara. A wet winter in the Tatiara results in the creation of many wetlands Poocher The Bordertown Wildlife Park was developed in 1968 and is situated just near the turnoff from the Dukes Highway at the Eastern entrance to the town. Visitors are able to drive or walk right around the 4.5 hectare park and its inhabitants are all quite easily observed through the fence. Entrance to the park is not permitted. In the park are Grey and Western Grey kangaroos and Dama wallabies, as well as a variety of birdlife. The park is famous, though, for its mob of white kangaroos that are a genetic strain of the Western Grey (and are not albinos). In 1980 a big white kangaroo was captured on a property near the SA/New South Wales border and brought to the park. He went on to become the founding father of the white kangaroo mob that has grown to become a tourist feature. The first white joey was born in 1984, followed by a second two years later. From there the breeding program has taken off with around 50 having been bred at the park over the years. A number
White Kangaroo with Joey
and the bringing into operation of many ‘runaway holes’, which are scattered throughout the central part of the region. have been sent to parks and reserves around the country – there are many on show in the Bordertown Park. As their diet is monitored, feeding by visitors is not allowed.
Jip Jip Conservation Park is an impressive granite outcrop with balancing rocks and ‘Elephant Rock’. White mallee, pink gums, native box, drooping sheoak, wallabies, echidnas and possums can be seen here. Wildflowers bloom in spring. Turn West off the Riddoch Highway at Willalooka.
DID YOU KNOW?
Runaway holes, such as Scown’s are deep depressions in the ground which absorb millions of litres of water during wet periods and result in the recharging of the vast underground water supplies.
Click on QR code for more information and camping permits - National Parks and Wildlife Services SA.
Poocher Swamp by Kaster Podiotan
Bordertrack by Antony Cirocco
Bordertown Wetlands by Anne Bannister
Explore Mundulla’s Moot Yang Gunya Swamp
Scowns Runaway Hole
8
9
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online